Abstract: A method of controlling a prosthetic hand having at least one motorized component is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing the hand with a first wireless transceiver and a controller in communication with one another, storing at least one manipulation instruction relating to the at least one component, and assigning a code relating to the at least one manipulation instruction to at least one second wireless transceiver. The at least one second transceiver is placed in a location at which the at least one manipulation instruction is to be given, and the controller manipulates the at least one component in accordance with the at least one manipulation instruction when the first transceiver communicates to the controller that the at least one second transceiver is within a predetermined distance of the first transceiver. Related methods and systems for controlling a prosthetic hand are also provided.

Abstract: Features for a powered prosthetic thumb are described. The thumb provides for rotation of a digit that mimics the natural movement possible with a sound thumb. The thumb may attach to a full or partial prosthetic hand or socket on a residual limb. The thumb may include an upper assembly, including a prosthetic thumb digit, rotatably attached to a mount about a pinch axis and a lateral axis. The digit may rotate about only the pinch axis, only the lateral axis, or both the pinch and lateral axes simultaneously. A first actuator may actuate to cause rotation of the digit about the pinch axis. A second actuator may actuate to cause rotation of the digit about the lateral axis. The first and second actuators may be actuated together at appropriate speeds to cause rotation about both the pinch and lateral axes simultaneously. A swaying chassis may be rotatably connected with the upper assembly and a lower assembly about various offset axes to provide for rotation about the lateral axis.

Abstract: A method of controlling a prosthetic hand having at least one motorised component is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing the hand with a first wireless transceiver and a controller in communication with one another, storing at least one manipulation instruction relating to the at least one component, and assigning a code relating to the at least one manipulation instruction to at least one second wireless transceiver. The at least one second transceiver is placed in a location at which the at least one manipulation instruction is to be given, and the controller manipulates the at least one component in accordance with the at least one manipulation instruction when the first transceiver communicates to the controller that the at least one second transceiver is within a predetermined distance of the first transceiver. Related methods and systems for controlling a prosthetic hand are also provided.

Abstract: Features for a prosthetic wrist and associated methods are described. The wrist couples with a prosthetic socket and a prosthetic hand. The wrist may rotate the hand. The wrist includes features to prevent or mitigate undesirable separation of the wrist from the socket. The wrist may have an expanding coupling, such as an expanding ring, to better secure the wrist with the socket. An actuator may cause the coupling to expand outward to prevent or mitigate undesirable separation of the wrist from the socket. Alternatively or in addition, the wrist may include torque control features to prevent undesirable or premature separation of the hand from the wrist, for example when using a “quick wrist disconnect” (QWD) apparatus. A torque control method may tailor or limit multiple torques to be applied by the wrist to the hand based on operational requirements and phases, such as anticipated torque loads and operational timing.

Abstract: A digit for a prosthetic hand is provided. The digit has a base member (12) attachable to the hand and at least one digit member (18) pivotably connected to the base member. The at least one digit member (18) has a digit tip (22) remote from the base member (12), and the digit member is at least partially covered with at least one conductive substance (26,40) which defines a conductive path which leads from the digit tip towards the base member. A method of manufacturing such a digit is also provided.

Abstract: A digit for a prosthetic hand is provided. The digit has a base member (12) attachable to the hand and at least one digit member (18) pivotably connected to the base member. The at least one digit member (18) has a digit tip (22) remote from the base member (12), and the digit member is at least partially covered with at least one conductive substance (26,40) which defines a conductive path which leads from the digit tip towards the base member. A method of manufacturing such a digit is also provided.

Abstract: Features for a prosthetic wrist and associated methods of rotation are described. The prosthetic wrist attaches to a prosthetic hand. Rotation of the prosthetic wrist is performed in combination with grip formation of the prosthetic hand. An IMU provides data associated with the orientation of the prosthetic hand. A desired grip for the prosthetic hand is selected, for example by gesture control. A rotation for the prosthetic wrist is determined based on the orientation of the prosthetic hand from the IMU data and on the selected desired grip. The prosthetic wrist techniques can also be used in combination with prosthetic arms, elbows and/or shoulders. Example structural configurations for the prosthetic wrist and hand are also provided.

Abstract: A wrist device for a prosthetic limb is provided. The device (1) comprises a base member (3) connectable to the wearer of the device, and a support member (13) connectable to the limb. The support member (13) is pivotably connected to the base member (3) such that the support member can pivot about a pivot axis (A) relative to the base member. A damping mechanism is located between the base (3) member and the support member (5). The damping mechanism comprises a pinion (47) connected to the support member (5) and rotatable about the pivot axis (A) relative to the base member (3). A rack (35) is engaged with the pinion (47) such that rotational motion of the pinion causes a linear motion of the rack, and at least one biasing member (41) extends between the base member (3) and the rack. The biasing member (41) biases the rack (35) and support member (13) into a neutral position. A prosthetic limb incorporating the wrist device is also provided.

Abstract: A method of controlling a prosthetic hand having at least one motorised component is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing the hand with a first wireless transceiver and a controller in communication with one another, storing at least one manipulation instruction relating to the at least one component, and assigning a code relating to the at least one manipulation instruction to at least one second wireless transceiver. The at least one second transceiver is placed in a location at which the at least one manipulation instruction is to be given, and the controller manipulates the at least one component in accordance with the at least one manipulation instruction when the first transceiver communicates to the controller that the at least one second transceiver is within a predetermined distance of the first transceiver. Related methods and systems for controlling a prosthetic hand are also provided.

Abstract: A digit for a prosthetic hand is provided. The digit has a base member (12) attachable to the hand and at least one digit member (18) pivotably connected to the base member. The at least one digit member (18) has a digit tip (22) remote from the base member (12), and the digit member is at least partially covered with at least one conductive substance (26,40) which defines a conductive path which leads from the digit tip towards the base member. A method of manufacturing such a digit is also provided.

Abstract: A prosthetic device control apparatus and method of controlling the same. The prosthetic device control apparatus (32) comprising an input interface (34) operable to receive input control signals and a detector (40) operable to determine if a prosthetic device (10) is operatively connected to the prosthetic device control apparatus, wherein the prosthetic device control apparatus is operable, responsive to the detector, to use the input control signals to control either a computer model (52) or movement of the operatively connected prosthetic device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling a movable component of a prosthesis or orthosis. The method (100) comprises moving the component by means of a motor (102) and determining when movement of the component is arrested when the component bears against a surface (104, 106). Thereafter a plurality of driving electrical pulses are applied to the motor (110) in dependence on the determination and when movement of the component is arrested to thereby drive the motor so as to cause the component to bear against the surface with greater force.

Abstract: A prosthesis or an orthosis such as a hand prosthesis (10) comprises a moveable component (12). The moveable component (12) has a motor (14) operable to drive a worm gear (16). The hand prosthesis (10) also comprises a worm gear wheel 18 fixedly mounted on a support member (20). The moveable component (12) extends generally tangentially with respect to the worm gear wheel (18) and is mounted for rotation about the worm gear wheel (18). The worm gear (16) is in engagement with the worm gear wheel (18) such that, when the motor (14) is operated in use of the hand prosthesis (10), the moveable component (12) rotates about the worm gear wheel 18. The moveable component (12) includes two electrical contact members (50a) and (50b) and the worm gear wheel (18) includes two electrical contact surfaces (52a) and (52b).

Abstract: A prosthesis or an orthosis and a method of controlling movable components of the same. The prosthesis or orthosis comprises a plurality of movable components, each component being movable by a respective motor and a control device operative to determine when movement of at least a first component is arrested when the at least first component bears against a surface, and to move one or more further components with respective one or more further motors so that each subsequent component is moved upon determination that the movement of the preceding component is arrested when the preceding component bears against a surface.

Abstract: A prosthesis or an orthosis such as a hand prosthesis (10) comprises a moveable component (12). The moveable component (12) has a motor (14) operable to drive a worm gear (16). The hand prosthesis (10) also comprises a worm gear wheel 18 fixedly mounted on a support member (20). The moveable component (12) extends generally tangentially with respect to the worm gear wheel (18) and is mounted for rotation about the worm gear wheel (18). The worm gear (16) is in engagement with the worm gear wheel (18) such that, when the motor (14) is operated in use of the hand prosthesis (10), the moveable component (12) rotates about the worm gear wheel 18. The moveable component (12) includes two electrical contact members (50a) and (50b) and the worm gear wheel (18) includes two electrical contact surfaces (52a) and (52b).

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for coloring a cosmetic covering. The apparatus includes image acquisition apparatus (18) operative to acquire an image of a part of a human or animal body to provide a digital color image, processing apparatus (20) operative to determine a calibration transform for colors of an image acquired by the image acquisition apparatus, the processing apparatus being further operative to transform the digital color image with the calibration transform to provide a color compensated digital color image, pigment mixing apparatus (26) operative to mix a plurality of pigments of different colors in dependence on at least one color characteristic of at least one color within the color compensated digital color image to produce at least one mixed pigment, and pigment applying apparatus (24) operative to apply the at least one mixed pigment to a cosmetic covering.

Abstract: A prosthesis (1) or an orthosis and method of operating the same. The prosthesis or orthosis comprising a moveable component (2), a motor (7) operable to move the component, wherein the motor has at least one operating parameter, the application of which to the motor results in the component having at least one operating condition; and an electronic device (28) operable to: determine at least one operating parameter of the motor and determine at least one instantaneous operating condition of the component from a predetermined operating profile of the motor and component and the determined at least one operating parameter of the motor, the predetermined operating profile of the motor and component being based on one or more operating parameter inputs to the motor and one or more resulting operating condition outputs of the component.

Abstract: A prosthesis (1) or an orthosis and a method of controlling movable components (3) of the same. The prosthesis or orthosis comprising a plurality of movable components, each component being movable by a respective motor (7) and a control device operative to determine when movement of at least a first component is arrested when the at least first component bears against a surface; and to move one or more further components by means of respective one or more further motors so that each subsequent component is moved upon determination that the movement of the preceding component is arrested when the preceding component bears against a surface.

Abstract: A prosthetic device control apparatus and method of controlling the same. The prosthetic device control apparatus (32) comprising an input interface (34) operable to receive input control signals and a detector (40) operable to determine if a prosthetic device (10) is operatively connected to the prosthetic device control apparatus, wherein the prosthetic device control apparatus is operable, responsive to the detector, to use the input control signals to control either a computer model (52) or movement of the operatively connected prosthetic device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a covering (10) for a prosthetic hand. The covering (10) comprises a first layer (12) in the form of a glove or mitten configured to cover a prosthetic hand, with the first layer (12) comprising an elastomer. The covering (10) also comprises a second layer (14) disposed over at least part of a surface of the first layer (12), with the second layer being unitary and comprising polyurethane. At least one part of an interior surface of the first layer (12) is uncovered by the second layer (14).